"It's tough," she said. "When I was told the news I was like, 'Oh my god, how does this happen?'"

Parents well respected in Gatineau community

Ramila Padiachy and her partner remembered Anne-Katherine's parents as jovial, fun-loving, and well respected in the community.

"They were such an inspiration," Padiachy said. "What an amazing couple, what a giving couple, and so connected. It's sad that all three had to go at the same time. The three of them were excellently connected.

"It's sombre, of course," she continued. "Losing three people. I think everybody is feeling exactly the same. It's just so sad, so senseless. Three people, a senseless murder."

Powers and Ramsurrun met on a Caribbean cruise in 2009.

Friends of Powers said the couple had a baby together in Mauritius, a small island off the east coast of Africa, where Ramsurrun is from. She later moved back to Aylmer and he followed about six months ago.

The relationship had turned sour and Powers wanted to separate, but the couple still lived together in the Aylmer home.

Police spokesman Const. Pierre Lanthier said Ramsurrun became a permanent resident of Canada in 2011.

He was arrested while holding his 15-month-old child at the nearby Rivermead Golf Club where he worked. The boy is now in the care of child services.